Hands On Me by Kim Carmichael

Hands on Me

Kim Carmichael

Agent Gwen Fredricks is a living target.  Captured after a failed mission, the code to crack a safe has literally been permanently hidden on her.  To free herself, she must retrieve a final key.   All Agent Colin Alexander has to do to avoid a desk job is get a code said to be on an enemy agent.   He never dreamed it would actually be on the agent, especially Gwen.

The simple shoot-and-swoop mission takes a turn for these two sometime-lovers and full-time rivals when they call a truce to give into their desire.  Now with the promise to keep both hands on each other at all times, they share a night together.  Loyalties are tested when Gwen manages to swipe the key away, and Colin discovers the code carefully embedded into Gwen's tramp stamp tattoo in a glow of UV light.  When morning comes they must decide if what they feel for each other is worth betraying their agencies.

Guest Post:

Calling:  Gorgeous Heroes (and Looking at Submission Guidelines Though Someone Else's Eyes):

People who don't write romance don't always understand us.  I find it funny how interested most everyone is at what I do when I take off my business suit and come home at night.  This struck me as particularly funny the other day when I was sitting with one of my friends and he asked me to show me what I do when I submit my story.

I went online, found a publisher, and showed him some submission guidelines.   Here is what stood out to him.

Guideline:  No Necrophilia – Undead okay.

He glanced over at me, shrugged his shoulders and told me that was probably a good rule.  I then proceeded to tell him that zombie romance is hot, and I just read the best book in that genre.   We both gave each other an uncomfortable smile.

Guideline:  No Bestiality – Were-creatures in human form okay.

He nodded when I told him that it was just fine to have sex with a werewolf as long as it was in its human form. 

We went through the other standard guidelines, all which made sense to him until we got to this guideline that formed the basis of our discussion.

Guideline:  While it is all right, and encouraged to write imperfect heroines, heroes are always gorgeous.

He didn't understand why it was acceptable to write a heroine who didn't live up to the same physical expectations of the hero.

It really is expected that we write a gorgeous hero - a yummy morsel of man who is basically possessive and focused on our heroine, even if they start the story not liking each other.

We got into a heated discussion where I cited all the traditional responses:

-          We want a heroine we can relate to so she doesn't have to be perfect.

-          We want to live a fantasy with an "unattainable"

-          Every woman wants to feel like the center of someone's life.

-          I even cited imperfect heroes (I am a huge Phantom of the Opera fan, probably in an unhealthy way that I want to go live in an opera house cellar, but that is a whole other discussion)

Of course, to every one of my points, he countered with his own, and even told me that a romance novel is the same thing as a man flipping through the pages of a Playboy, but with plot.

Then I smiled one of those smiles men never understand, and my friend sat back in his chair.

I think that our stories empower women, and that's why we love them.  Yes, we love an imperfect heroine, one who does everyday things and then is taken into an extraordinary world.  We love the everyday heroine who thinks enough of herself to bring the kind of man we write to his knees.  In the end, we love stories about strong heroines who take charge of their life, and that makes her beautiful.

What qualities do you like in your hero?

Kim has it right! We want to be cherished and that is why we love romance novels and erotica. And heroes. Bring on the sexy boys that give us the heat we crave! 

Although Hands On Me was a short novella, I was immediately drawn to the passion infused in each page. You have action and adventure, spies, murderous intent and some pretty hot, drag you to the floor sex. Bring it on! 

I loved the two characters in this book. Two spies tasked with something specific and each one has a thing that the other needs. They also have a blinding passion for each other that goes beyond their profession, with some considerations for kickboxing and gun play. Lol. 

Give me a story that has my pulses racing and you will find me happily reading, heat lines running across the pages of my iPad as I flick the screen faster and faster. That is what this book was like. Add some Snow Patrol music and you have a perfect evening. Oh and some chocolate. Great read with a plot that moves, characters that pop, dialogue that is spot on and a voice that held my interest and left me wanting more and more.

4.5/5 

Excerpt:

"Stop!" A man yelled.

The barrel of another gun met her inches from her face. She tensed, not from the gun, but from the familiar inflection in his voice. The position of both their weapons hid the man's face.

"Get in and lower your gun, or we'll both lose." 

              

"Back up and lower yours, or you won't have a hand left." No one told her what to do, not ever again. The click of her cocking her weapon echoed around them.

He stepped back. "Get in and close the door."

With her gun still raised, she stepped and waited for her opponent to flinch first.

"Now." He moved a fraction of an inch.

She did the same, and with the silent acknowledgement they would both comply, they lowered their guns in unison. She almost shot herself in the foot at the sight of the man who greeted her. Before she made a mistake, she de-cocked her gun and shook her head. "Colin?" Her body betrayed her by trembling. Was this her punishment?

"Gwen." He shoved the gun in his waistband. "You're the one. I would have never guessed."

Think. She screamed at herself to remember her training, and not allow him to best her or distract her. She glanced around the room, giving her time to not look at him. Agents were supposed to be everyday people and blend in, but Colin Alexander stood out. From the moment she quite literally fell into his lap through a two-story ceiling three years ago, she wasn't sure why his agency chose such a standout. She supposed his combed-back black hair and golden eyes were some bizarre form of female torture.

Kim is having a contest to win one of her skin care products and a bookmark for her new book. Enter to win in the comment field below. US only please. Leave your email and tell Kim about your favorite romance/erotica hero. 

About the Author:

Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own.  She has a weakness for bad boys and techno geeks, and married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep all her gadgets running.  When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Alternative lives find their happily ever after…

www.kimcarmichaelnovels.com

author@kimcarmichaelnovels.com

Hands On Me - Coming 9/10/12 From Keith Publications

The Promise - Part of the Darkest Desires Anthology From Hot Ink Press - Halloween

Buy link:

  http://www.amazon.com/Hands-On-Tramp-Stamp-ebook/dp/B0098LICZ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1347857437&sr=1-1&keywords=hands+on+me+kim+carmichael